1-6. PAIN

a. Most patients with disorders of bones, joints, and muscles experience pain. Orthopedic nursing assessment and management of pain must be individualized as each person will have a different threshold and tolerance for pain.

b. Bone pain is described as a deep, dull, boring ache, as opposed to muscle pain, which is described as a soreness or aching.

c. Increasing pain may indicate an infectious process, malignancy, or vascular problem. Pain that increases only with activity may indicate joint or muscle sprain.

d. Sharp pain may be related to a bone infection with muscle spasm, pressure on a sensory nerve, or fracture pain, which is both sharp and piercing.

e. Radiating pain is seen in conditions where pressure is exerted on a nerve root.